A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media includes a removable module and a chassis having a module receptacle. Cartridge storage slots are disposed within the chassis, and a media drive is disposed within the removable module. A cartridge transporter is disposed within the chassis and transports the cartridge between one of the cartridge slots and the media drive when the module is inserted within the module receptacle. A library control circuit is disposed within the chassis and controls the cartridge transporter. An interface circuit is disposed within the removable module and electronically interfaces a host computer to the media drive, and, when the removable module is inserted within the module receptacle of the chassis, electronically interfaces the host computer to the library control circuit.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media, the library being connectable to a power source, comprising: a removable module having a first signal connector and a first powerline; a chassis having a module receptacle sized to receive the removable module, the module receptacle having a second signal connector that releasably mates with the first signal connector when the removable module is in the module receptacle, the module receptacle having a second powerline coupleable to the power source and coupleable to the first powerline; cartridge storage slots disposed within the chassis; a media drive disposed within the removable module and coupled to the first powerline, the media drive having a drive opening, the media drive operable to receive and eject the cartridge through the drive opening; a cartridge transporter disposed within the chassis and operable to transport the cartridge between one of the cartridge slots and the media drive when the module is disposed within the module receptacle; a library control circuit disposed within the chassis, coupled to the second powerline, and coupled to the cartridge transporter; and an interface circuit disposed within the removable module, coupled to the first powerline, and coupled to the media drive, the interface circuit being operable to interface with a host computer that is external to the chassis, and being coupled to the library control circuit when the removable module is disposed within the module receptacle, wherein power is provided from the library control circuit to the interface circuit and the media drive when the removable module is in the module receptacle.
2. The library of claim 1 wherein the interface circuit comprises: a library interface circuit coupled to the library control circuit when the removable module is disposed within the module receptacle; and a host interface circuit coupled to the media drive and to the library interface circuit, and operable to interface with the host computer.
3. The library of claim 1 wherein the interface circuit comprises: a library interface circuit coupled to the library control circuit when the removable module is disposed within the module receptacle and coupled to the media drive; and a host interface circuit coupled to the media drive and to the library interface circuit, and operable to interface with the host computer.
4. The library of claim 1 wherein the library control circuit is operable to provide power to the media drive and to the interface circuit when the removable module is disposed within the module receptacle.
5. The library of claim 1 wherein the interface circuit is operable to couple data between the host computer and the media drive when the removable module is disposed within the module receptacle.
6. The library of claim 1 wherein the interface circuit is operable to couple control information between the host computer and the library control circuit when the removable module is disposed within the module receptacle.
7. The library of claim 1 , further comprising a media-drive read-write-and-control circuit that is disposed within the removable module and that is coupled to the media drive and to the interface circuit.
8. The library of claim 1 wherein the host computer comprises a component of a computer network.
9. A library for storing a cartridge of data-storage media, comprising: a sled having a first signal connector, a first powerline, and a host signal connector; a chassis having a sled receptacle that is constructed to allow insertion and removal of the sled therein, the sled receptacle having a second powerline coupled to the first powerline, and a second signal connector that mates with the first signal connector when the sled is inserted into the sled receptacle; cartridge storage slots disposed within the chassis; a media drive mounted within the sled and having a cartridge receptacle; a cartridge transporter assembly mounted within the chassis; a library control circuit mounted within the chassis, coupled to the second powerline, and coupled to the cartridge transporter assembly and to the second signal connector; and an interface circuit mounted within the sled and coupled to the media drive, to the first signal connector, and to the host signal connector, wherein power is provided from the second powerline to the interface circuit and to the media drive when the sled is inserted into the sled receptacle.
10. The library of claim 9 wherein the interface circuit comprises: a library interface circuit coupled to the second signal connector; and a host interface circuit coupled to the media drive, to the library interface circuit, and to the host signal connector.
11. The library of claim 9 wherein the interface circuit comprises: a library interface circuit coupled to the second signal connector and to the media drive; and a host interface circuit coupled to the media drive, to the library interface circuit, and to the host signal connector.
12. The library of claim 9 wherein: the chassis has a power connector that is coupled to the library control circuit; the first signal connector has a power line coupled to the interface circuit; and the second signal connector has a power line coupled to the library control circuit and coupled to the power line of the first signal connector when the sled is inserted into the sled receptacle such that power is provided from the library control circuit to the interface circuit and to the media drive when the sled is inserted into the sled receptacle.
13. The library of claim 9 wherein the host signal connector includes a data line such that the interface circuit allows data communication between drive and a host computer.
14. The library of claim 9 wherein the first, second, and host signal connectors each include a respective data line such that the first, second, and host signal connectors and the interface circuit allow communication of control information between the library control circuit and a host system computer when the sled is inserted into the sled receptacle.
15. The library of claim 9 , further comprising a media-drive read-write-and-control circuit mounted within the sled and coupled to the media drive and to the interface circuit.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 16, 2002
September 27, 2005
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